Cody Bellinger homers to cap 7-run 2nd inning as Cubs take series opener from Nationals, 7-6

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cody Bellinger homered to cap a seven-run second inning, and the Chicago Cubs held on to defeat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Chicago, which has scored 80 runs in its last eight games, improved to 6-1 on its three-city road trip. The Cubs have won 18 of 26 since July 31.

“It’s been really fun,” Bellinger said. “Collectively as a whole, it’s been loud. It’s been a lot of barrels. I’m just trying to be a part of...